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How to Build a Web Site for Free... well, almost

Build a WebSite FREE! - Is it possible to build a killer site free? Yes it is... For just about any program you could buy, there is a comparable free version available on the internet, and you are only limited by your time, degree of skill and determination. Why are these programs free?

Sometimes the creators have a genuine desire to help others with their knowledge, sometimes it is to get you interested in possibly purchasing a better product, service or version in the future. Sometimes it's to make money from advertisements, but whatever the reason, everyone benefits!

If you have the time and desire, you could reasonably design, publish and maintain your own site for free. How long it would take you would depend on how resourceful you are and how much time you are willing to spend on the learning curve of each program you use. Where would you begin?

You would need:

An internet connection. Gone are the days of free internet connections. You can publish to any server through your existing ISP and many give you a small amount of free web space with your account.
A free imaging program (optional) You can get by with free graphics if you're resourceful. Try the GIMP, there's a version for Win and Linux.
A free HTML editor. There's one in StarOffice for Win and Linux versions and it comes with graphics and templates, or try 1stPage 2000 for win.
A free publishing utility. WS FTP LE is free for personal use.
A free web host. There are many, we pick Tripod because the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of their service when compared to other services. TrellixWeb is our second pick for raw beginners.

Be aware that it is true to a degree, "You get what you pay for"... so you will have some adjustments to make in getting use to each of the free services and because they are free, if you run into trouble, the support and help is somewhat lacking. If time and ease of use is most important to you, and if you can afford it, you might be better off to invest in a few good programs from the start... but, it is possible to build a website for free, although you may have to pay for it in aggravation and time.

And, once you have it online, how do you update and manage it? Well, at some point in time, you will need to consider actually purchasing tools and software to help you save time so you can actually have a life again!   :)